DK55:

rvaitor · May 29, 2006

( Have been looking and trying out different brands of tractors...but
I'm still not real sure if Kioti DK55 is the tractor I want....
I would like to hear from some of the owners of Kioti's about the advantages of Kioti's over other brands of tractors, namely the big 3-4 brands....I like the feel of the Kioti from the drivers seat,but is that enough?...Is over an hours drive to every dealer in different directions,so can't drive one and then hop over to another brand and try it out....like the JD, MF,Mont,Kubo,NH,but like features of Kioti better....can anyone help me out here? Thanks Mike )

I got my first 8+- hours of seat time this weekend on my Kioti DK55c. There are lots of things I like about it. The controls, general ergonomics, adjustable hitches, dual remotes, 3 pt control accessible from the rear of the tractor, servicability(hood raises and side covers pop off), smooth fairly quiet, short wheelbase takes some getting used to, did some cutting with a 7ft medium duty rotary cutter - performed well but runs at higher RPM than my Mahindra, parking brake works easier and holds better. I like the Cab environment but in cutting around trees it is more difficult because you can't just grab and branch and steer it around the roll over protection.

I have a Mahindra 6000 FWD FEL as well and probably plan to sell it. Thinking about my use and how important a heavier tractor would be vs one with more creature comforts and maybe a little easier to work on. Every aspect of the Mahindra is heavier, loader bucket and all bracing and attach points are substantially heavier.

It's a tough decision for me as to which one to keep. I have read good reports on the DK55s and the closest tractor dealer to me is a Massey / Kioti dealer so that is a factor. I have been very impressed with the Mahindra and the raw/brute power of it. I also like the larger front wheels(ag) on the Mahindra. I don't know a way to summeraize the difference. I didn't take extensive comparison pictures but have a couple I'll post later.

I continue to be impressed with the different models out there. I like the Masseys as well. I haven't looked at John Deere but there is a new or newly relocated Deere dealer nearby as well. My impression is they are higher priced but have excellent service support going way back - something the newer entrants haven't had the time to prove.

rvaitor · May 29, 2006

( Have been looking and trying out different brands of tractors...but
I'm still not real sure if Kioti DK55 is the tractor I want....
I would like to hear from some of the owners of Kioti's about the advantages of Kioti's over other brands of tractors, namely the big 3-4 brands....I like the feel of the Kioti from the drivers seat,but is that enough?...Is over an hours drive to every dealer in different directions,so can't drive one and then hop over to another brand and try it out....like the JD, MF,Mont,Kubo,NH,but like features of Kioti better....can anyone help me out here? Thanks Mike )

I got my first 8+- hours of seat time this weekend on my Kioti DK55c. There are lots of things I like about it. The controls, general ergonomics, adjustable hitches, dual remotes, 3 pt control accessible from the rear of the tractor, servicability(hood raises and side covers pop off), smooth fairly quiet, short wheelbase takes some getting used to, did some cutting with a 7ft medium duty rotary cutter - performed well but runs at higher RPM than my Mahindra, parking brake works easier and holds better. I like the Cab environment but in cutting around trees it is more difficult because you can't just grab and branch and steer it around the roll over protection.

I have a Mahindra 6000 FWD FEL as well and probably plan to sell it. Thinking about my use and how important a heavier tractor would be vs one with more creature comforts and maybe a little easier to work on. Every aspect of the Mahindra is heavier, loader bucket and all bracing and attach points are substantially heavier.

It's a tough decision for me as to which one to keep. I have read good reports on the DK55s and the closest tractor dealer to me is a Massey / Kioti dealer so that is a factor. I have been very impressed with the Mahindra and the raw/brute power of it. I also like the larger front wheels(ag) on the Mahindra. I don't know a way to summeraize the difference. I didn't take extensive comparison pictures but have a couple I'll post later.

I continue to be impressed with the different models out there. I like the Masseys as well. I haven't looked at John Deere but there is a new or newly relocated Deere dealer nearby as well. My impression is they are higher priced but have excellent service support going way back - something the newer entrants haven't had the time to prove.

psuedofarmer · May 31, 2006

i've attached a pic of my DK55 pulling a disc harrow; i have no idea what model this unit it (i salvaged it from the neighbor's woods where it was sitting for 12 years).

the DK55 had absolutely no trouble pulling this size unit (i believe it's an old ford model, single hydraulic cylinder for raising/lowering the travel wheels). it appears to be 10+ feet wide..

the tractor didn't realize it was there.. i used it on 6 acres of fields (using a combo of low/medium range).

i have 600+ hours on the tractor in under 2 years, and have used it for everything on the farm (hay, BH work, grapple, plowing, planting, logging, etc.)

i looked at 6 different models; in the long run, i compared the Grande L series Kubota with the DK55c. IMHO, the best bang for $ was the Kioti. the standard features helped sell it..

..my only concern @ the time was the durability of the Kioti.

my concerns were unfounded: the tractor has held up nicely to the abuse i've put it through..

good luck.
pf

psuedofarmer · May 31, 2006

i've attached a pic of my DK55 pulling a disc harrow; i have no idea what model this unit it (i salvaged it from the neighbor's woods where it was sitting for 12 years).

the DK55 had absolutely no trouble pulling this size unit (i believe it's an old ford model, single hydraulic cylinder for raising/lowering the travel wheels). it appears to be 10+ feet wide..

the tractor didn't realize it was there.. i used it on 6 acres of fields (using a combo of low/medium range).

i have 600+ hours on the tractor in under 2 years, and have used it for everything on the farm (hay, BH work, grapple, plowing, planting, logging, etc.)

i looked at 6 different models; in the long run, i compared the Grande L series Kubota with the DK55c. IMHO, the best bang for $ was the Kioti. the standard features helped sell it..

..my only concern @ the time was the durability of the Kioti.

my concerns were unfounded: the tractor has held up nicely to the abuse i've put it through..

good luck.
pf

KiotiJohn · May 31, 2006

Another advantage on the Cab model is that the cab is insulated whereas the Kubota 5030 lacks the roof insulation allowing some loss in cooling. One Kubota owner posted that he had to add some insulation in to keep the temps down, and then he got too cold.

John

KiotiJohn · May 31, 2006

Another advantage on the Cab model is that the cab is insulated whereas the Kubota 5030 lacks the roof insulation allowing some loss in cooling. One Kubota owner posted that he had to add some insulation in to keep the temps down, and then he got too cold.

John

jeffva · May 31, 2006

I looked at two tractors pretty hard - NH TN65 and the Kubota 5030. I have two kubotas now and one Ford. I ended up buying the dk55c - it was my first cab tractor and I really like it.

I basically started looking at the ROPS and then the axles .... and so on. Once you look at the basic build and std features, the only thing left is durability. My wife's uncle has had a kioti on his farm in WVA for more than a few years and beats it up hard with no problems.

I now have about 75 hours on mine and trust me it is tough love. I've busted the antenna off the cab pretty quick, smashed in the grill and front light - I've ordered a brush guard. I have industrial tires - a mistake - go Ag tires for sure. I bought a large grapple and haven't taken it off yet - I'll post some pictures later. For me the weight of the tractor was more important than the power. My brother's Kubota is sweet - has hydrostatic drive - but he pays dearly in power for that, that is why I went with the shuttle shift.

One last thing, I've had many ford tractors over the years and I really like the balance of a 4 cylinder diesel vs the 3 cylinders... so I went with Kiot's 55 vs the 65 with the perkins diesel - no real reason, just a preference.

Good luck!

jeffva · May 31, 2006

I looked at two tractors pretty hard - NH TN65 and the Kubota 5030. I have two kubotas now and one Ford. I ended up buying the dk55c - it was my first cab tractor and I really like it.

I basically started looking at the ROPS and then the axles .... and so on. Once you look at the basic build and std features, the only thing left is durability. My wife's uncle has had a kioti on his farm in WVA for more than a few years and beats it up hard with no problems.

I now have about 75 hours on mine and trust me it is tough love. I've busted the antenna off the cab pretty quick, smashed in the grill and front light - I've ordered a brush guard. I have industrial tires - a mistake - go Ag tires for sure. I bought a large grapple and haven't taken it off yet - I'll post some pictures later. For me the weight of the tractor was more important than the power. My brother's Kubota is sweet - has hydrostatic drive - but he pays dearly in power for that, that is why I went with the shuttle shift.

One last thing, I've had many ford tractors over the years and I really like the balance of a 4 cylinder diesel vs the 3 cylinders... so I went with Kiot's 55 vs the 65 with the perkins diesel - no real reason, just a preference.

Good luck!

rvaitor · Jun 1, 2006

( i've attached a pic of my DK55 pulling a disc harrow; i have no idea what model this unit it (i salvaged it from the neighbor's woods where it was sitting for 12 years).

the DK55 had absolutely no trouble pulling this size unit (i believe it's an old ford model, single hydraulic cylinder for raising/lowering the travel wheels). it appears to be 10+ feet wide..

)

Missed the pic - could you try again.

I've got R4s thinking that's what I should have but now am wondering - it does seem to keep the CG a little lower.

rvaitor · Jun 1, 2006

( i've attached a pic of my DK55 pulling a disc harrow; i have no idea what model this unit it (i salvaged it from the neighbor's woods where it was sitting for 12 years).

the DK55 had absolutely no trouble pulling this size unit (i believe it's an old ford model, single hydraulic cylinder for raising/lowering the travel wheels). it appears to be 10+ feet wide..

)

Missed the pic - could you try again.

I've got R4s thinking that's what I should have but now am wondering - it does seem to keep the CG a little lower.